A web user's personal data that is stored on servers overseas can still be handed over to authorities in the U.S., according to a recent court ruling.
If a valid search warrant is presented, tech giants such as Microsoft and Google are obligated to turn over the data to U.S. law enforcement, no matter where that data resides, U.S. Magistrate Judge James Francis ruled on Friday.
In this particular case, after being presented with a search warrant, Microsoft challenged a government request for one user's information housed on a server in Dublin.
The company argued that U.S. law does not apply in Ireland, however, Judge Francis rejected the motion, according to a report in The Guardian.
Microsoft plans to continue the appeals process and take the issue to a higher court.
